Orange County Public Schools

The School Board of Orange County held its regularly scheduled board meeting at 5 p.m. at the Ronald Blocker Educational Leadership Center. These are the highlights of the meeting:

District 6 School Board Spotlight:

The School Board of Orange County honors an employee in their district throughout the 2023-24 school year. These employees have shown exceptional dedication that contributes to the success of their students. District 6 School Board Member Karen Castor Dentel recognized Positive Pathways Transition Center Principal Paul Bryant, who has worked for OCPS for nearly 30 years. Paul finds various ways to reach his students, including honor-roll celebrations and ceremonies and introducing them to restorative justice practices. His students will soon have an opportunity to grow in new ways. Plans include a school garden and greenhouse with chickens and goats. Students will be able to gain life and job skills while learning about agriculture.

School Board recognitions

2024 Stellar Award winners:

OCPS celebrated 510 honorees, 16 finalists and four district wide Stellar Award winners during a gala at the Rosen Shingle Creek Orlando a few weeks ago. The honorees, finalists and winners are heroes who put our students first and do exceptional things in our schools every day.

Introducing your winners (seen in photo above):

Sara Hudson, Teacher of the Year (third from left)

Rina Santiago, Support Person of the Year (second from left)

Becky Watson, Principal of the Year (fourth from left)

Charisse Hurdle, Assistant Principal of the Year (first from left)

2023 National Future Farmers of America Award:

West Orange High’s Future Farmers of America Chapter won the 2023 National FFA Award in the Food Science and Technology category at the 96^th Annual FFA National Convention and Expo in Indianapolis in November. The students had to demonstrate their knowledge of nutrition, cost analysis, production and marketing related to food in a presented scenario.

Proclamations adopted for February 2024

National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Founder’s Day – February 17, 2024

National Future Farmers of America Week - February 17-24, 2024

Digital Learning Day – February 29,2024

Public Schools Week - February 26 - March 1, 2024

Special presentation - Olympia High Students Advisory Council members provided a presentation on fostering school spirit and involvement at their school. The school band and cheerleaders provided an outstanding performance. 

*Reminder*

Work sessions are livestreamed on the School Board’s YouTube channel and are accessible from web browsers on computers or mobile devices.